Oh, the horror

[JasonH]

http://www.niagara-gazette.com/local/lo ... 75849.html

That Wal-Mart sells ammunition is no surprise.

The ease with which it can be obtained is what shocked Ryan and Julie Miller during a recent shopping trip.

The Niagara Falls couple went to the Wal-Mart on Porter Road the evening of Sept. 29 to purchase a few items. When browsing the snack aisle with their sons — ages 3 and 11 — they found a box of 100 Winchester shotgun shells mixed in with the potato chips.

They alerted an assistant manager, who along with a manager and corporate official in subsequent conversations told the couple that there wasn’t an issue.

“The (Wal-Mart employee) said they’re just skeet shells. That’s no big deal,� Julie said.

Skeet shells are what shooters use for clay target shooting. These rounds are kept on a shelf in the sporting goods section, with other types of ammunition being stored in a sealed glass case. A driver’s license is required to purchase the shells.

Ryan said he was told Wal-Mart was abiding by state law in storing the skeet shells in the open, but he fears what might happen in a worst-case scenario.

“Too many crazy things happen nowadays,� he said, referring to someone who might use the easily accessible rounds in a mass shooting. “There’s no reason that type of item needs to be laying around the store where my child literally could have picked them up.�

That was also a concern for Julie, who noted that her younger son likes to inspect what he sees in stores.

“God forbid if someone had left the box open. He could have grabbed one and thrown it on the ground or just hit it the wrong way,� she said.

Wal-Mart has been under fire recently in other places including Alabama and Illinois for its ammunition storage practices. A motion to come before the city council in Montgomery, Ala., next week introduced as a result of Wal-Mart’s practices would tighten restrictions in that city on how rounds can be sold and shelved, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.

A Wal-Mart corporate representative did not respond to a request for comment. Wal-Mart officials told the Montgomery Advertiser that the chain abides by all state and local laws in regards to ammunition storage.

The odds of something bad happening may be slim, but the Millers would like to see every available precaution taken.

“They’re dangerous for a 3-year-old to handle,� Julie said. “They’re a safety issue.�

[SC1903A3]

Makes me want to curl up in a ball, in a corner, in the dark. Heaven forbid they do the fishing section of the store and find a frog gig. somebody might get speared.

[longtooth]

Yes or the kitchen ware isle & one of those 3yr olds took a reachable box of steak knives off the shelf & dropped it on his foot. At least it would only cut him instead of rolling off in the floor.

[flintknapper]

http://www.niagara-gazette.com/local/lo ... 75849.html


That was also a concern for Julie, who noted that her younger son likes to inspect what he sees in stores.

“God forbid if someone had left the box open. He could have grabbed one and thrown it on the ground or just hit it the wrong way,� she said.

The odds of something bad happening may be slim, but the Millers would like to see every available precaution taken.

“They’re dangerous for a 3-year-old to handle,� Julie said. “They’re a safety issue.�[/i]

Huh?

Ummmmm....excuse me lady, but an unattended 3-year-old could find a virtual cornucopia of things to harm himself with in a Wal-Mart store.

There is this thing called "Parenting". It requires a little of common sense and effort, but...IT WORKS!

Admittedly, it puts the responsibility on the (whats that word again) PARENT, but that should be a good thing.

Wow, what a novel idea (good parenting).

[Wildscar]

“God forbid if someone had left the box open. He could have grabbed one and thrown it on the ground or just hit it the wrong way,� she said.

They might as well was home. Thier gas tank on thier car might blow up is its hit the wrong way. Alert CPS to visit the home and remove all life threating things from the home. Ya know like Kitchen Knives, or the lawn care equipment.

[TWL1972]

Headline: "Masses of People Peppered to Death with 8 Shot!"

[mcub]

Speaking, well typing, in reference to the general attitude of Wal-Mart to complaints.

If the couple's experiences with Walmarts managers was like a few of mine, instead of saying, "Oh, this is not particularly dangerous, but it should not be down for the toddlers any more than our knives, we'll put it back where it belongs, thanks for finding it for us.."

I was not there but just speculating they probably got the voice tone equivalent to, "So what, it's not like there's a law, like you want us to move it for you or something"
I know I should walmart bash, and yes I do purchase stuff there, but still I think there customer service “Helped� the issue.

[dukalmighty]

Thank god they didn't mistake em fer a bakery item took em home and stuck em in the oven at 450,It never amazes me how much uninformed people will blow something outta proportion,if junior likes to pick up and fondle things i was told as a kid if ya ain't got the money to pay fer it don't touch it.

[Penn]

I agree with all of the responses, but to be fair - if they're going to keep some shells locked up and then say, they're just "skeet" shells - it doesn't make much sense to me.

[lawrnk]

I agree with all of the responses, but to be fair - if they're going to keep some shells locked up and then say, they're just "skeet" shells - it doesn't make much sense to me.

Personally, I've banned Wal-Mart from my life. But I recall last time I was there that rifle ammo was on a shelf, but airgun, BB's, and paintball ammo was locked behind glass. Of course, rule out logic when it comes to Wallymart.

[grim-bob]

at the local wally's shot shells are out on open shelves (even near the ground at toddler level {gasp}). Paintball and air rifles are behind glass along with the handgun and rifle ammo.

[Photoman]

WalMart? Shotgun shells? Yes. But the real question is....were the shotgun shells made in China?

[Kalrog]

WalMart? Shotgun shells? Yes. But the real question is....were the shotgun shells made in China?

I wish! If I could only buy shot with the same amount of lead as the paint those companies are using...

[tallmike]

Im sure the paintball and airgun stuff is locked up because a lot of kids have airguns and paintball guns, but not always the money to refill them. =)

Shotgun or rifle ammo is not nearly as popular among the thieves.

[Mr.Lebowski]

THINK OF THE CHILDREN
I can't wait for the day where I can't actually buy anything in a store without having to fill out a disclaimer. It's bad enough that when you go into stores like walmart they technically grants you a license to shop in their store. Go to customer service and if the signs are actually in English you'll see what I mean.
Gone are the days when companies actually wanted your business, now they give you permission to shop there. How gracious of them. Though it all stems from people like the ones in the story posted.

Can we please get Personal Responsibility 101 taught in school.